KUWAIT CITY, Sept 24: Director General and Advisor to the Union of Domestic Workers Recruitment Office Owners Abdulaziz Al-Ali revealed that he and a delegation from Kuwait Union of Domestic Labor Offices (KUDLO), headed by its chairman -- Khalid Al-Dakhnan, visited the Office of Labor Attaché at the Philippine Embassy Manuel Dimaano on Sunday. During the visit, they discussed and reviewed the latest developments regarding the approval of the clearance for Kuwaiti recruitment offices and the issuance of a job order in preparation for the start of the recruitment of Filipino domestic workers for offices that have yet to receive a job order. In a press statement, Al-Ali confirmed that Dimaano fully understands the demand of the owners of recruitment offices to expedite the job order issuance.

Meanwhile, Dimaano revealed that Philippine Secretary of Migrant Workers Hans Leo Cacdac issued the guidelines and instructions to the Office of the Labor Attaché and the concerned departments. He explained that the goal of following and implementing these guidelines and instructions is to ensure consistency and integration between the Office of the Labor Attaché and the Department of Migrant Workers regarding the complaints that the embassy received from domestic workers or their families in the Philippines. He added the delegation noted that the Office of the Labor Attaché has instructed all embassy employees to receive the comments and complaints regarding the hindrances to obtaining a job order 

He informed the delegation that the delay in issuing the job order was due to “many organizational steps toward overcoming the obstacles to the issuance of a job order.” He is keen on easing the issuance process as much as possible and addressing all the obstacles that the recruitment offices and companies are currently facing.

On the other hand, Al-Dakhnan thanked Dimaano for being broadminded and for understanding all the complaints; “giving us time to explain all the difficulties and obstacles that the recruitment offices are facing.” He affirmed that the latter’s door is open for everyone to present their comments and suggestions regarding the labor problems that hinder the recruitment process and promised to solve them. Al-Ali added all the opinions were presented to Dimaano and the sources of pressure on the offices were explained -- whether from the government agencies and Kuwaiti families, in a bid to expedite the process of recruiting Filipino domestic workers.

Dimaano stated that he stands at an equal distance from everyone and stands by KUDLO to solve problems and overcome obstacles, stressing he will spare no effort in this regard. He asked Al-Dakhnan about the suspension of the issuance of the Domestic Labor Visa (Article 20) and the latter stressed that the union will coordinate with all the concerned parties in Kuwait to solve this problem as Kuwaiti companies and institutions require Filipino domestic workers. Al-Dakhnan added the union will address all the difficulties that the recruitment offices are facing, and it will continue holding meetings with the concerned parties in and outside the State of Kuwait

By Fares Al-Abdan
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff